Screen Captures Courtesy of Swoopes For personal use and select distribution only © August 2002 by Amber Stockton Prescription: Amanda(aka: The Eyes Have It - Day 2)
Lee awoke the next morning and went through his morning routine. After a cup of coffee, he dressed in sweats and sneakers, then checked his watch. There was a chance that Amanda would stop by after she got her boys off to school, and if he was gone when she arrived, he wasn't sure he wanted to come back to find her waiting. But there was no way he was going to survive five full days cooped up inside his apartment. He had to get outside, and now was as good a time as any. Amanda would just have to wait. The route he ran was one he knew well. He could almost run it with his eyes closed. As he headed towards the Potomac to run along the path by its banks, his mind drifted to the day before and the time he had shared with Amanda. Although he protested, he really enjoyed having her with him. She doted on him like a mother hen, and it was a feeling he cherished. He may not admit it, but it felt good to know that someone cared about him and didn't expect anything in return. Wind with the hint of spring blew across his face, and he was reminded of the sweet scent that was uniquely Amanda. The fragrance of her hair, the perfume she sometimes wore, or the powderfresh smell of her soft skin. It all lingered with him long after she was gone. If he closed his eyes, he could see a clear image of her smiling face in his mind and recall every contour, every shadow, every detail. Why hadn't he been able to see this earlier? Why had he wasted his time with other women, with Leslie? He knew why. Leslie was only a distraction. While he knew she didn't deserve it, Lee realized that the only reason he had gone out with her was as a replacement for the woman he didn't think he could have. A woman he wasn't worthy enough to have. Amanda. Now, things had changed and seemed to be in his favor. The only problem was whether or not he wanted to risk their special friendship on the chance of something more. With the sound of each footfall against the pavement, his heart pounded out the rhythm of her name. Every thought he had brought him right back to her. Invigorated with a burst of energy, he made the final turn and headed back to his apartment. A shower and another cup of coffee would help him clear his head and get his mind focused where it should be. As much as he wanted to act on his desires, something inside told him he needed to tread lightly where Amanda was concerned. Something told him he needed to take things slow. Knowing the enjoyment he found in her company, taking things slow wasn't exactly an altogether unpleasant prospect. Lee paused outside his apartment building and breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't see Amanda's wagon parked out front. After he caught his breath, he nodded to the doorman and headed for the elevator. Once back in his apartment, he allowed the shower to wash away the sweat along with the distracting thoughts of Amanda. She would be coming over today, and he'd better get his act together. He didn't need to let his emotions take control and risk destroying everything they had together. It was important to remain objective and remember this was an assignment. Billy had assigned Amanda to him for five days, and if he wanted things to progress, Lee knew he had to keep a clear head. Refreshed and invigorated, he dried off and got dressed, then headed to the kitchen for another cup of coffee. The run had definitely done him a world of good. Now, all he had to do was wait for Amanda to arrive. He cast a look around his apartment and gave it a critical once-over. In the meantime, he should probably straighten things a little. There was no reason Amanda had to endure his bachelor lifestyle to such a great extent. The least he could do for her would be to make an attempt to keep things organized while she was here. As he straightened, he realized that organization was yet another influence Amanda had brought into his life. Before he met her, keeping things clean would have been the last thing on his mind ... unless entertaining one of his lady friends. Now, he thought about it more often, and it wasn't as much of a bother as he thought it would be. With a look around the apartment, he was satisfied that it met with his approval. Lee cast another glance at his watch and wondered what Amanda was doing this morning. Since she didn't have to work at the Agency, it seemed odd that she hadn't arrived yet. "All right, Stetson! Get a hold of yourself!" [i]It's not the first time you've spent time alone in your apartment, so find something to do to occupy your time![/i] His reprimand only gave him a marginal amount of comfort. If he didn't find something to do, he would drive himself insane thinking about Amanda. [i]These next four days might be harder than I thought they'd be![/i] Today's paper sat untouched, so he reached for it and flipped through the sections until he found an article that interested him. At least he could pass some time reading. With any luck, he'd get involved in one story or another and forget about the time. The Washington Post was always full of something or another to catch his eye ... when he took or had the time to read it. A knock at the door interrupted his forced solitude. With a glance at his watch, he saw the hands had just passed the eleven-o'-clock hour. Amazed the morning was almost over, he stood and walked to the front door. When he peaked through the peephole, he saw Amanda standing in the hall, holding a brown bag that most likely contained their lunch and maybe even his dinner. He smiled and turned the lock, then opened the door. She smiled when she saw him. "Good morning!" "Hi!" He stepped aside and gestured for her to come in, his gaze taking in her well-pressed appearance. From her pale pink blouse to her cream skirt, her brown shoes to her thin gold necklace and earrings, she looked every bit the part of the professional that she did when she walked into the Agency every morning. As she walked by him, he caught the aroma of fresh bread and tangy tomato sauce. "Mmm, if that's lunch, I can hardly wait to eat!" "Well, you're going to have to, since it's only a little after noon." He followed her into the kitchen and watched her unpack the contents of the bag onto his counter. "Is that what kept you this morning?" "Yes." She placed the container of pasta and the bread on the stove. "I'm sorry I'm late, but I took the morning to prepare lunch for us and bake a loaf of fresh bread." Turning the knob, she set the oven on warm, and placed the foil-wrapped bread inside. Then, she removed the cover from the pasta and placed the glass bowl on the burner, setting the knob to allow a small flame to burn beneath it. She pivoted to face him and smiled. "I knew you didn't eat breakfast, so I figured there was no reason to come that early and try to get you to eat it." Lee thought of the two cups of coffee he'd had this morning and smiled. "Yeah, you've got a point." He nodded. "So, other than lunch, did you have something else in mind to pass the time?" Amanda shrugged and slipped her hands into the pockets of her skirt. "Well, you're supposed to be taking it easy, so I thought we could play a game of Scrabble. Mother and I love to play it, and the boys sometimes join us." She withdrew her hands, then reached into the brown bag and pulled out the box that contained the game. "I brought it with me just in case." He leaned against the doorjamb and crossed his legs at the ankles. "I don't know that I'll be much competition against an experienced pro like you, but I'm game!" "Oh, I'm not the pro. Mother is. She can come up with the most unusual words with the letters she gets. I don't even bother to argue with her anymore, even when I know she's wrong. She'll defend her use until she's blue in the face." Lee smiled. "That sounds like your mother all right." He paused and gave her a pointed look. "Also sounds like someone else I know!" Amanda held the game in front of her and walked past him, then glanced over her shoulder. "I don't have a clue what you're talking about!" He reached into the cabinet and pulled down two glasses, then opened the freezer and scooped out a few cubes of ice for each one. As he filled them with water, he called into the living room. "Uh-huh! And I'm sure you wouldn't know anything about not admitting when you're wrong, right?" "Right." Her reply came back loud and clear. He chuckled as he grabbed the two glasses and carried them into the living room. Amanda had already opened the game and set out the board on the coffee table. She set it off to the side and cleared a place for them to eat. He found two coasters and set their drinks down, then found a comfortable position on the floor opposite where she knelt. She reached for her glass and took a sip. "Thank you." "You're welcome." A moment later, she rose from her crouched position and headed for the kitchen, pausing just before she disappeared around the wall. "Now, you just relax for a few minutes, and I'll get our lunch served." "You won't hear any arguments from me. Another home-cooked meal is just what the doctor ordered!" He grinned when she rolled her eyes. When he heard the clang of a spoon against the glass bowl, he picked up the paper he had been reading before she arrived and read some more. Ten minutes later, Amanda came back from the kitchen with two plates, butter and utensils on a tray. She set the tray on the coffee table, then sat cross-legged on the floor opposite him. They both pulled their plates closer to them and immediately began to eat. "Mmm! Amanda, this is delicious!" Lee exclaimed after several bites. "Another secret recipe?" She twirled some pasta on her fork and lifted it to her lips. "Not really. Just a simple tomato sauce and boiled noodles. Oh, and a hint of fresh vegetables in the sauce." "Well, looks like I'm not the only one who can whip up a delicious meal." "No, but you win with the most unusual. That squid meal you made definitely takes the cake." She took a drink of water, then set the glass back on the coaster. After buttering a piece of warm bread and taking a bite, her gaze began to peruse the apartment. He knew what would come next. "I just realized what's different." She swallowed the remainder of the piece of bread and wiped her mouth. "Your apartment's actually clean!" The amazement in her voice made him proud that she noticed. Then again, this was Amanda. Of course she would notice something like that. He had seen her house and knew how important it was to her that it be clean and straight. With two rambunctious boys, that was no easy feat. He admired her for her ability to stay on top of everything. It almost made him feel embarrassed that he didn't make it a higher priority in his own life. As a bachelor, he didn't exactly have an excuse. Once again, Amanda was causing him to rethink his lifestyle. A lifestyle that had suited him fine until he met her. Realizing she was waiting for some kind of response from him, he met her gaze and grinned self-consciously. "Yeah, well, I got a little bored this morning and had nothing better to do, so..." He shrugged and let his words trail off. "Bored, huh?" She grinned. "What's the matter, Scarecrow? Not liking this confinement order you've been given?" He sighed and lifted a final bite to his lips, then reached for his bread. "To be honest, no. I feel perfectly fine and should be out there in the field. If it weren't for this fool idea of Billy's, I would be!" "Lee, you know full well that Mr. Melrose only did this because you need it. You've endured a lot of stress and strain these last few days. There's no telling what would happen if you went back to work right away." She reached for their plates and stood to clear away everything. "Now, why don't you enjoy the time off and pick your tiles." "Yes, ma'am!" He grinned and watched her duck her head before she turned to head for the kitchen. She was right, even if he wasn't going to admit it. Besides, at least Billy had assigned Amanda to him for his forced leave. With her welcoming smile and charming bedside manner, he could endure just about anything. Since she didn't seem to mind her assignment and was doing what she could to make him comfortable, he intended to milk the nursing for all it was worth. And it was worth it to have her with him. "So, are you going to select your tiles or sit there and think about it all day?" Lee glanced up, startled, and saw Amanda standing next to the table. He blinked a few times and focused his mind back on the present. If he wasn't careful, she'd start to read between the lines and discover his thoughts. "Seven right?" She took a seat again and nodded. "Yes." In short order, he had his tiles and flipped them over on his stand. "Now, you might have to remind me a little of the rules. Scrabble isn't exactly a game I play all that often. Backgammon is more my speed." Lee grinned when she blushed, a visible sign that she understood his double meaning. He could still remember when he told her about that discussion with Francine. It was one of their conversations during the brief time he had stayed at her house. Her immediate response then had been a sarcastic retort. Now, she pretended as if he hadn't said anything and focused her attention on her game pieces. If he didn't miss his guess, she didn't like to be reminded of his history with women. He actually didn't like the reminder either -- something that had changed only within the past couple of months. "So, would you like to go first, or should I?" Amanda's voice cut into his thoughts. He blinked a few times and noticed she had lifted her head again. The hint of a grin was on her lips, and one eyebrow was slightly raised, as she waited for his answer. He gave her a sheepish grin. She had obviously caught him staring. Not seeing a reason to pursue it and cause him further embarrassment, he glanced down at the board and shrugged. "You can go first." "Good. I already have my first word!" Amanda sat up a little on her knees and leaned over the board as she placed her tiles, one by one, onto the little squares, her first tile beginning on the star in the center of the board. Lee watched as the word formed and smiled when she spelled out 'agent.' "Well, if that's not a stroke of luck, I don't know what is!" Amanda laughed. "I thought so too! When I flipped over my pieces and saw those letters, I couldn't wait to use them and hoped you'd let me go first." "Well, considering that I couldn't form anything with the letters I have, it wasn't much of a choice." "Well, I hope you can form something now." She grinned. "It's your turn!" Lee started to select a tile, but stopped when Amanda reached out and placed a hand on his wrist. "Oh wait! I almost forgot. I have to replace my tiles and total my score." Sarcasm dripped from his voice when he replied. "Oh yeah, wouldn't want to skip keeping score." "Of course not! It's important to know who's ahead." He gave her a pointed look. "Yeah. Gives the other person an idea of what he ... or she ... is up against and what needs to be done to regain the lead." Their gazes locked for several moments as they both digested the words they had just spoken. Amanda was the first to break the invisible bond. "So, are you going to take your turn or not?" "I will once you replace your tiles." He grinned. They lapsed into a comfortable camaraderie as they played. Banter passed between the two of them over the validity of certain words, and Lee found Amanda to be quite a formidable opponent. He knew going into this game she would have an unfair advantage, but somehow he didn't mind. After almost two hours, Lee only had an 'o' and an 'e' left on his tray. He waited for Amanda to take her turn, and his eyes roamed across the board. Words like 'chance', 'change', 'new', 'start', 'hope', and 'brave' jumped off the board at him. He couldn't remember who had put what words into play, but there appeared to be a distinct theme running throughout this particular round. It appeared that Amanda noticed it too as she placed all but one of her tiles onto the board and formed two words that intersected. To her credit, she acted like there was nothing unusual with the array on the board. "So, can you make any other words, or do I get the bonus for being the last one to place tiles on the board?" "Give me a minute or two. I'm looking." His eyes looked for every open square on the board as his mind tried to create a place for at least one of his tiles to go. "Ah ha! Found it! I can use them both too!" He smiled and placed the two pieces on the board, then leaned back with an air of satisfaction. Reveling in the moment of victory, he didn't notice Amanda's reaction right away. Her eyes seemed to be riveted to the board. The implication of the word he had created didn't hit him until that moment. Love. He had spelled the word 'love' by putting his 'o' and 'e' on either side of the 'v' with the 'l' at the lead. With all of the other words on the board, this one seemed to be the clincher. Neither one knew what to say, and they sat in silence. Finally, Amanda cleared her throat and reached for the pen beside the board. "So, that means you get the bonus for using all of your tiles and for being the last to make a word." She made a few calculations, then laid down the pen on the paper. "Looks like that makes you the winner, by five points." Lee reached out and placed a hand over hers, then locked gazes with her. "I think we both come out winners in this instance." He slowly lifted her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on the back of it, never breaking eye contact. He could sense her discomfort, so he withdrew his hand and began clearing the tiles from the board. Amanda reached to help him. "Why don't we get this put up, and you lie down for a little rest. Your eyes are looking a little strained, and you've been sitting here for over two hours. This game will take it out of you in no time." He tried to detain a yawn, but it escaped his lips. "You're not kidding! I can't remember being this tired after one of my workouts in the gym." "Mental exhaustion." She nodded and placed the lid of the game on the bottom of the box. "All the more reason to take a rest. So, come on. Up you go!" Lee stood and allowed Amanda to gently push him in the direction of his bedroom. When she appeared as if she was going to follow him into it, he came to an abrupt halt and placed his hand on the frame of the door. He felt her collide into him, then glanced over his shoulder to watch her take a step backward. "What's the matter?" "Nothing. But, I think I can manage on my own now." She grinned. "Guess that means you don't want me to sit with you?" "No!" He saw the startled look on her face at his immediate response, but he wasn't about to launch into any form of explanation. The last thing he needed was for her to be in his room with him ... alone. It was bad enough the day before, but there were several other agents in the next room to help him feel better about her presence. Now, it was just the two of them. If he allowed her to join him, sleep would be the last thing on his mind. His thoughts must have been written on his face, because Amanda immediately backed up another two steps and placed her hand on the heart pendant adorning her neck. She began to move it back and forth on the chain as she watched him, their gazes locked. "I'll ... uh ... just clean up in the kitchen, then ... while you get some rest." Lee nodded. "That's a good idea." She turned like the KGB was on her tail, then paused. "Oh, I almost forgot! I won't be able to stay this evening. I have a meeting with Philip's teacher at school tonight, and I have to be home to make sure the boys have their supper. Mother is going out, which means it's all on me." "Well, don't worry about me. It's not the first time I've had to fend for myself." "I've left plenty of pasta in the bowl, and I'll leave it on the stove for you. All you'll have to do is warm it a little. There's also the rest of the loaf of bread. Or, you could have some soup from last night. If you like, I can stop by after the boys are in bed to..." "Amanda, I'll be fine. Stop worrying about me." He gestured with a wave of his hand. "Go on. Get home and take care of the boys. If it bothers you that much, you can pick up the phone and call me later." She visibly brightened at this suggestion and smiled. "All right, I think I'll do that. Now, you go ahead and get some rest. I'll clean up, then let myself out." "All right." Lee turned, then paused. "Amanda?" "Yes?" He glanced back over his shoulder. "Thank you." She smiled. "You're welcome, Lee." No further words were needed. They each knew what the other was saying. It was enough to spend time together and share each other's company. After a moment, Lee stepped into his room and closed the double French doors with a click. He walked toward his bed and sat on the edge, then glanced back at the sheer curtains that hid his living room from view. Thoughts of Amanda filled his mind. Having her here really helped the time pass a lot faster. He couldn't remember an afternoon he had enjoyed more, and they hadn't even done much. With a sigh, he kicked off his shoes and leaned back against the pillows, sinking into the downy softness as he felt his body relax. There were still three more days of his forced confinement, but somehow, it didn't seem like such a terrible ordeal anymore. Amanda was definitely the reason for that. He heard the door to his apartment close and knew she had left. She would be back tomorrow, and he would probably hear from her tonight. After several more moments, Lee finally drifted off to sleep with a smile on his lips. (go to day 3...) |
